Search results

Considers some of the major spheres of influence which can affect the design of the passive fire protection of a building and outlines passive fire protection materials and applications, fire tests, Building Regulations and the possible influence of European legislation. Discusses the five major requirements relating to fire which must be met when designing a building. Details the use of sprays, boards, intumescents, performed sections, fire barrier ′quilts′ or ′blankets′ and penetration seals and firestops. Explains the British Standard fire tests and provides reactions to them. Summarizes building control regulations, with reference to The Building Regulations 1991, recent developments and European aspects.

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the challenges faced with mobile information communication technology (M-ICT), more specifically tablet software, in the construction phase of UK infrastructure projects. Quality assurance in the context of passive fire protection is scrutinised, where M-ICT use is prevalent, to provide an industry perspective.

The research design is founded on exploratory multiple case study approach. Specific themes are developed, based on a critical review of previous ICT studies. The themes identified are used to inform a qualitative interview protocol for investigating three large UK infrastructure projects. Each project is at different stages in the construction phase, with varying examples of M-ICT implementation in use. Participants are interviewed regarding their experiences of the implementation of M-ICT on each project.

Findings identify diverse experiences across each project. Single and multiple M-ICT platforms are currently being used, with individual stakeholders using ICT in isolation, and in some instances, multiple project stakeholders are using it together. Complete replacement of paper-based processes is evident in one case study, but more commonly, digital technology is being used in parallel to traditional paper-based processes. The challenges, although varied across each case study, can be categorised under the themes of Technology (IT support, ICT infrastructure, IT security, contractual, software), People (social aspects, user competency, safety), Technical Compliance (technical compliance evidence) and Process (conventional processes).

It is recommended that each theme be reviewed at project commencement, with all key stakeholders, to ensure key aspects are considered prior to M-ICT deployment. This will ensure avoidance of challenges reported and maximise the opportunities that are available through M-ICT in a multi-stakeholder infrastructure project.

Informal settlements are inherently unstructured in nature, lack adequate services, regularly have high population densities and can experience social problems. Thus, fires can easily propagate rapidly through such areas, leaving thousands homeless in a single fire. The purpose of this paper is to present an appraisal of various interventions and strategies to improve fire safety in informal settlements in South Africa (globally, similar settlements are known as slums, ghettos, favelas, shantytowns, etc.), considering aspects of both technical suitability and social suitability.

This paper focusses on three specific aspects: ignition risk management, active fire protection interventions and passive fire protection interventions. These are presented within a framework to outline how they may mitigate the impact of fires.

Often “solutions” proposed to improve fire safety either lack a sound engineering basis, thus becoming technically inefficient, or do not consider social circumstances and community responses in settlements, thereby becoming practically, socially or economically unsuitable. It must be understood that there is no “quick fix” to this significant problem, but rather a combination of interventions can improve fire safety in general. A broad understanding of the various options available is essential when addressing this problem, which this paper seeks to provide.

This paper seeks to provide an overview to guide policymakers and organisations by illustrating both the advantages/benefits and disadvantages/challenges of the interventions and strategies currently being rolled out, as well as potential alternatives.

A broad but succinct appraisal is provided that gives insight and direction for improving fire safety in informal settlements. It is hoped that the challenges associated with the fire safety interventions discussed can be addressed and improved over time.

Proper implementation of fire safety management is a key to providing total fire safety. In this paper, a regulatory framework related to fire safety management in buildings in Hong Kong has been reviewed. Current statutory requirements covering both administrative and technical aspects of fire safety management elements are outlined. Responsibilities of different management parties in a typical multiple occupancies commercial building on operating the fire safety measures are discussed. It is observed that only maintenance of active fire protection systems are emphasised at the moment. A more detailed fire safety plan should be formulated with clear legal liability for undertaking management responsibilities.

The research objectives are to investigate current methods of fall protection, identify issues in their selection and use, and produce guidance on best practice for designers and constructors.

A steering group with both health and safety and production experience directed a variety of data collection methods: interviews with industry specialists to assist in identifying the significant issues in fall protection and selecting fall protection systems; study of published research, legislation, codes of practice, and system technical data; focus groups to investigate both generic and system‐specific issues; and visits to manufacturers, suppliers, contractors' offices and sites, to observe and discuss systems in development, planning, erection and operation.

This paper deals with all the general issues in equipment selection: a hierarchy of selection; legislative guidance; interaction with the structure; impact on site operations; rescue of fallers; issues specific to maintenance and refurbishment; and costs arising from equipment selection.

The paper provides a summary of the most important issues contained in the full Health & Safety Executive report of the research, the only comprehensive source of such practical guidance.

The purpose of this paper is to present the effect of damaged fireproofing on structural steel members. This study will show that a minor damage in fireproofing will reduce the fire rating of members significantly. Damaged fireproofing happens in structures due to various reasons, and the question is always how effective is this fireproofing? This paper presents the results of one type of fireproofing and presents a parametric study on the size of damage and its effect on fire resistance of structural steel members.

The study has been performed using numerical methods, thermal and structural finite element analysis. The analysis method has been verified by experimental results.

Small fire protection damage or loss leads to significant rise of temperature at the damaged parts and causes severe fire resistance reduction of beams. The higher fire protection damage’s extension at the bottom flange of the steel beams does not have any major influence on the rate of reduction of fire resistance of the beams. Steel beams experience greater fire resistance reduction at higher load levels because of the existing of higher stresses and loads within the steel beam section.

The study has been performed using finite element analysis, and it covers a wide range of practical sizes. However, experimental work will be performed by the researchers when funding is granted.

The study provides researchers and practitioners with an estimate on the effect of damaged fireproofing on fire resistance of structural steel beams.

Understanding the effect of the effect of damaged fireproofing helps in estimating the fire resistance of structural steel members, which may protect collapses and disasters.

The research is original; extensive literature review has been performed, and this research is original.

The aim of this work was to study the effect of La(NO

)

on the corrosion behavior of sol-gel coating prepared by hydrolysis of 3-glycidoxypropyl)methyldiethoxysilane and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane. Generally, galvanized steel is subjected to a hexavalent chromium passivation treatment. Hexavalent chromium passivation is not an environment friendly product and researchers are looking for a suitable alternative for chromium passivation treatment. Some of the potential alternatives are silicate conversion coating or the use of silane-based coatings. In this context, sol-gel coating was investigated as a potential replacement for hazardous hexavalent chromium passivation treatment.

The sol-gel film was deposited on galvanized steel sheet by the dip coating method. The molecular vibration and chemical properties of sol-gel solution and coated films were obtained by infrared spectroscopy. Images from a scanning electron microscope were obtained to characterize the morphology of the film. The corrosion resistance of the coated samples was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), potentiodynamic polarization curves and salt spray tests.

The results indicated that La(NO

)

-doped coatings were more resistance to corrosion than undoped coating. The coating doped with 0.5 per cent La(NO

)

offered improved corrosion protection due to the inhibitive action of the La3+ ion.

This result can provide a reference for the development of chromium-free passivation for galvanized sheeting.